25 Mar 2018

19 Things I've Learned in 19 Years

As my 19th birthday is today, I thought to do this post, I've seen it on Youtube and other blogs and I think it is a great idea.

Ugh, what can I say? Already nineteen. Being eighteen was challenging, might be the most challenging year of my life, I've become an adult and it is such a funny process from being a child to an adult, but it's worth it.

You learn to be more responsible and independent, but at the same time you still have childish qualities, you just want to have fun and go out.

I've learned so many things about myself, I've realized my true wishes and plans in life and I've realized ways to overcome obstacles on my way to them, but let's go with a countdown.

By the way, this is not in a chronological order.

1. Life isn't about founding yourself

Life is about creating yourself. You don't need to limit yourself to fit into a certain aesthetic or lifestyle, you can be many things.

For example, I run this lifestyle/lowkey fitness blog and at the same time that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy going out and partying or drinking wine and eating pasta, but I have simply realized my priorities, it is also a part of growing up.

Other examples are I listen to rock n' roll, but I dress trendy and classy (at least I'm trying!). I have many acquaintances, but still, I prefer a company of close friends.

What I'm trying to say, life is full of different things, don't be just one thing, be many things and expand yourself by experiencing different stuff.

2. Fortune favours the brave

This is a Latin quote: "Audentis fortuna iuvat." meaning fear is unnecessary, and happiness and wealth of any kind go to the brave ones. There is no point in being afraid because life is really one and we need to learn to live it bravely.

If you get anxious or afraid just remember this, it will help you because anxiety is equal to fear. So, don't be afraid, you got this!

3. Sometimes you need to keep your goals to yourself

This doesn't mean that you are in need of doing some secret agenda, but rather that you understand your goals. Unfortunately sometimes if you share your goals and wishes with some people, they might put you down and tell you that what you want is unrealistic, but if you believe in yourself anything is possible.

4. Belief is powerful

Similar to my last few words of the sentence above, belief is very important. If you believe you are weak, lame or fearful, you will be exactly that. You need to put yourself up and tell yourself each morning that you are worthy and strong and that life is worth living because you know your goals.

5. Having daily goals is more important than having a 5-year plan

I'm not telling you that you can't have a plan for five years from now, but most people don't even know what they want to do this year.

Life can be unpredictable at times and I believe it is more important to have daily, weekly and monthly goals than those from the further future.

First, it makes you more present and content and second, you feel accomplished on a daily basis.

Still, try to have at least a small image of what you want to be by the end of this year so, you can realize the small steps before.

For example, this autumn I want to go to college and in order to get there I need to work on my confidence and obviously, I need to study for my final exam.

Don't get me wrong, you can have a 5-year plan, but if you feel that you don't have it, don't worry, go with a flow, you will realize it sooner or later.

6. It's good to be unapologetic

Sometimes you need not care and stand up for yourself and if that makes you look rude or unapologetic, it doesn't matter because it just means that you have character.

I'm still working on this, but lately, I've been better. I don't need to agree with everything and listen to everyone.

7. Step out of your comfort zone

I know I said that everything I've stated here is important, but somehow this one combines all of them. Step out of your comfort zone and expand it! You don't need to be afraid, life is one, try new things, do that thing you are afraid of right now and when it's over, you will be thankful.

8. It's okay to open up

Stop pushing your emotions down, learn that people won't hurt you and that there are those sweet and real people that you can trust and open up to. This is a process that I'm still learning so, I didn't completely master it, but last week I had a conversation with my best friend and I've never been more honest to her and guess what, I felt such relief!

9. In healthy body is a healthy mind

We have this quote in Croatian: "U zdravom tijelu, zdrav duh." I don't know if English speakers use it, but I've heard it here million times and it's really true.

When you take care of yourself from the outside, you are automatically taking care of your spirit. Eat healthy, workout and stretch and you'll see that your mind will be thankful.

10. Small moments matter

Laughing with your family and friends on banal things and just walking outside in nature can be the best stress relief there is so, appreciate small moments in life because they matter.

11. Laugh it off

Similar to the previous one, just laugh it off. Laughing is really the best stress relief, I'm telling you again, just go with a flow and stop being so grumpy. I know it's easier said than done, but it's possible.
Start with your body language first, once you seem open and like you are having fun, you really will start feeling that way.

12. Be grateful

Some time ago you wished for the things you have now and that is why it's important to be grateful now because you focus on positive and when you are positive, new things are coming your way.

13. Don't beat yourself up

We all made mistakes and we can almost change everything in our lifetime except the past. You had embarrassed yourself, you skipped something, you didn't eat healthy the other day, it's okay, don't worry, tomorrow is always a new day and your opportunity to fix it.

14. People will judge you no matter what

I'm sure you heard a saying that not everyone will like you and it's absolutely true. You don't need to be liked by everyone. And let's face it, you probably don't like everyone either and so what? Just don't care and do what you love.

15. You don't have control over everything

It's important to realize (just like everything else in this post, I know) that you won't always know what's going to happen. Once you accept that you have no control over everything and finally see something good in it, it gets better. Unpredictability is the beauty of life, it wouldn't be fun if we knew it all.

16. Just do it!

Whatever is in your mind at the moment and you are scared to do it, go all Shia LaBeouf on it and "JUST DO IT!"! What's the worst case scenario? Probably not so bad, then imagine the best one and then, get realistic one and then you see that nothing really bad will happen.

17. Music is the best past-time

I just love listening to music, it makes me happy, it makes me feel better, but it always relaxes me. So, listen to some music if you feel tense or unease. It'll help.

18. Write it down

No matter how you are feeling right now, write it down, own a diary, own a bullet journal. Write down your goals, your plans and your past mistakes you've learned from and it will become a good habit you'll love.

19. Never stop learning

Finally, to the last one. Honestly, I don't think I've learned anything else past 19th number. So, this one is: never stop learning. It's time to live in a new age of my life and it's time to learn even better things.

What are some things you have learned in the past years? Share your knowledge in the comments.

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Welcome to my blog

Hello and welcome to Project Headway! My name is Nora, I'm a nineteen year old student from Croatia and here I want to inspire you to strive towards constant improvement (that word you'll hear a lot here). Here you can read tips and stories on how to achieve your goals, your dreams, find your passion/s and much more. Stay here if you are ready to start living life of your dreams.